SAGINAW, MI — The Saginaw Spirit got their exhibition season started on Friday, Sept. 6 against Sault Ste. Marie at The Dow Event Center and defense was the name of the game.

Andrew Fritsch’s goal early in the second period gave the Greyhound a 1-0 lead, but Saginaw answered with a Jacob Ringuette deflection for a 1-1 tie that stood the rest of the game.

Sault Ste. Marie outshot the Spirit 36-21.

Nikita Serebryakov started in goal for Jake Paterson, who is at camp with the Detroit Red Wings, and made 35 saves.

Saginaw hits the road for the second half of a home-and-home series at the Greyhounds on Saturday, Sept. 7.

At the Red Wings’ NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, Nick Moutrey tallied a goal and an assist for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 7-5 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Meanwhile, Eric Locke had a goal and three assists for Buffalo in the Sabres’ 6-5 win over the New York Rangers.

Cory Butzin covers sports for MLive/Saginaw News. Email him at cbutzin1@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.